Dear Paul, I'm a Zionist

Key Findings:

The author expounds his passionate and heartfelt commitment to Zionism and the importance of the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people in his letter to Paul O’Brien (executive director of Amnesty International USA), in light of O’Brien’s statements regarding Israel and American Jewish sentiment.

His letter highlights:

(1) That the State of Israel is central to Jewish identity, emphasizing the historical and religious significance of Israel to the Jewish people.

(2) That the Jewish connection to Israel is a continuation of a national journey that began with Abraham's journey to Canaan.

(3) That Zionism is not only a political expression but also a deeply religious one — inextricably intertwined with the G’d, Torah and the Jewish people.

(4) That Israel, like any society, has its challenges and imperfections. However, its strife to live up to Jewish ideals is a noble endeavor.

(5) That Zionism is not just about providing a "safe space" for Jews but about creating a genuine home where Jews can find refuge and build their lives.

(6) That the author intends to remain a proud Zionist and celebrate Israel's achievements while standing with it during times of suffering.

The author acknowledges that Amnesty International was initially aligned with morally just causes. In 1961, Amnesty International's founder, Peter Benenson, who had a strong commitment to Zionism, was actively engaged in advocating for the release of jailed students. During the same period, Israel was in the process of receiving its first 11,000 immigrants from Morocco, a number that would grow to 85,000 within two years. In addition to this, Israel was holding Adolf Eichmann accountable for crimes against humanity. By 1975, Amnesty International was involved in defending the rights of Jewish prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Union, despite the fact that the United Nations had declared that Zionism was a form of racism.

The author raises the question of how and why Amnesty International's position has shifted so drastically over time.